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2014 Year 7 Parent Information Evening
Wednesday, 4
December: 6.30pm
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Student
Achievement
I
congratulate Siena Hyland (Year 10, Stewart House) on her
selection into the Class of 2015 Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program at The
University of Melbourne. This is an outstanding achievement and I wish Siena
all the very best as she engages with the opportunities that the program
offers.
The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program will afford the
participants the opportunity to mix with like-minded peers and future
leaders. A tailored program of events and activities will support and enhance
these students’ secondary studies, inspire their career plans and provide
opportunities to interact with the University community. Siena joins a large
group of Eltham High School Alumni that have already benefitted from the
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.
On the 5 December, the University will host a Welcome Event
for all selected Year 10 Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. Students will be
officially welcomed into the Program and participate in a number of
information sessions on the day, including a welcome address from former
Vice-Chancellor and the Program’s namesake, Professor Kwong Lee Dow.
Siena is a worthy recipient of this award and she will be
a great ambassador for our school. Well done!
Twilight Music Concert 2013
The
2013 Twilight Concert took place on the evening of Monday, 2 December. I
have to say that it was amazing that the weather actually held out and we
were finally able, out of a number of years, to stage the concert outside in
the courtyard area.
It was fantastic to see our community gather for this
wonderful end of year celebration that gave our students the opportunity to
perform one last time this year. Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends
all came along to enjoy the music and savour the culinary delights supplied
by the Music Support Group. It was a very relaxed evening of celebration and
fun.
A
highlight of the evening was the presentation of a number of string
instruments to the school by the Board of Montsalvat. I take this opportunity
to thank Jeannette Davison for her attendance at the concert and for presenting
the beautifully handmade instruments to our school. We are very grateful to
the Board of Montsalvat and to Ms Morag Fraser, Chair of the Board.
A
further highlight was the presentation of the Claire Edgoose Awards for
Excellence in Music which, this year were awarded to Taliesin
Sterry (Year 10, Everard House, Bassoon) and Jemima Longworth
(Year 10, Andrew House, Bassoon). Similarly the Ferngully Lodge
Bursaries were awarded to Anna Telfer (Year 11, Andrew
House, Flute) and David Sutherland (Year 9, Everard House, Saxophone).
Congratulations
to these award recipients and to all the students that performed so well at
the concert. I further wish to acknowledge the commitment and hard work of
the Music staff and our Director of Music, Mr Rick Plummer, and of course the
ongoing commitment of the Music Support Group, without whose hard work in
planning and organisation of events, what is achieved, could not be achieved.
Congratulations to all!
Morph
Program
A great deal of work and
planning has gone into the organisation of the Morph Program for all our
current Year 7 and 8 students. This program begins on Monday, 9 December and
will run until the end of the year. Attendance is a must and I ask parents
for their support in ensuring students attend for the entire length of this
program. A letter has already been sent home to individual families outlining
the aims and content of the program, and in line with the Head Start Program,
the Morph Program is a good introduction into the subsequent year’s program
of study, although it is structured very differently. I take this opportunity
to commend the staff that have been involved in the planning, under the
leadership of Mrs Katie Reed, as well as all the staff that will take part in
the program, to make it a real success. I am sure that it will be a valuable
program for every student.
Student Safety
The issue
of student safety through the circular drive is once again raising its ugly head.
Student safety is of imperative importance, and once again I ask parents to
take care when driving through the circular drive at the front of the school.
At these times there are a number of students walking through that area and
we would not like to see an accident occur. It would also be very much
appreciated if parents did not park in the area of the circular drive; the
purpose of the drive is that it is a ‘pick up’ and ‘drive through’ zone.
Particularly, parking along the edge of the green area causes added
congestion, thus compromising student safety. I look forward to your support
with this.
Riding Bikes etc. and Wearing Helmets
Can I ask
parents to ensure that if their child is riding to school in any form that
he/she wears a helmet at all times. It is a legal requirement to wear a
helmet when riding on the road and unfortunately over the last week or so I
have noticed that some students are riding bikes etc. without using a helmet.
It has been made clear to students that if they ride without a helmet their
bike etc. will be locked up and that their parents will be called up to
collect it. This is not about the school being difficult but purely about
your child’s safety. Please speak to your child about this concern. Once
again I thank you for your support.
Vincent
Sicari
Principal
To the Top
Student
Leadership: Student Growth and
Leadership Working Party
I always look for opportunities
to acknowledge student leadership across the school, and can report back on
the work of a number of students who have demonstrated leadership potential
within our school community.
The Student Growth and Leadership
Working Party, comprising staff and student representation, have been working
hard to define a model for Student Growth and Leadership for 2015. To date
the recommendations that the working party have made include:
·
The introduction of a vertical model across Years 10-12 in 2015. This
means that there will be an opportunity for students across Years 10-12 to
meet together on a regular basis. While details of this program are being
developed, we know that this will allow for enhanced leadership opportunities
across the Senior School with students in Years 11 and 12 able to support
Year 10 students and provide some guidance to these students as they start to
explore their future pathways.
·
Development of separate programs across Years 7, 8 and 9 that will incorporate
opportunities to further explore the value of Social and Environmental
Responsibility through Community Service programs.
Both Christine Andrews and I
would like to acknowledge the work of Liam Samat (Year 9) and Molly
Townsend (Year 10) as student members of the working party.
School Publications:
In preparation for our next
school brochure I have worked with a number of students to both get feedback
on the school and also conduct a photographic shoot. This feedback and the
photos will be included in the brochure.
Our focus on the school values
is evident in the feedback from our students, such as:
“Eltham
High encourages everyone to reach for their full potential. If you are not
good at one thing, there are thousands of other things you can do, and all
the teachers will help you.”
“Through
the school values I learnt the importance of respecting others as I would
expect others to respect me, and just being myself.”
The photo shoot, working with
individual students, was also great fun, with students representing the
values of the school through use of some simple props.
While the audience for the
brochure will predominantly be families of primary school students, it will
be shared with the school community through the school website.
Fran
Mullins
Assistant
Principal
Visiting Italian Student Nicolo Returns Home Soon
Nicolo Notargiacomo has been in
Australia for about 5 months, as a year 11 student, visiting from Italy and
attending Eltham High School. Nicolo’s host family in Eltham has been the
Tibbets, who have a connection with a local primary school here. In Italy
Nicolo lives in Rome and attends a Science secondary school, the ‘Liceo
Scientifico Statale Marcello Malpighi’ as a year 11 student. Nicolo’s father
is an IT programmer, his mother works in the office of an Italian bank, and
his 22 year old sister is at university studying civil engineering.
Nicolo’s favourite subject is
Mathematics and he is considering a career in mechanical engineering or
astronomy. Nicolo has enjoyed his stay in Australia, finding the people
relaxed, kind, nice, polite and hospitable. Nicolo has been a dedicated and
enthusiastic student.
Nicolo said:
 “My experience in
Australia as an exchange student has been just fantastic. This place is also
better than I thought. People here are very nice and kind and life is much
more relaxed than in my country Italy. I’d like to thank my host family, that
has been hospitable and always present for me. My mates that made my
experience here unforgettable and all the staff at Eltham High School have
been available at any time that I needed. Thank you all. Cheers, Nicolo.”
Lyn Milner
KLA Coordinator Mathematics & Nicolo’s Maths Teacher
Middle School News
Middle School Students - Please Empty Lockers
Could all Middle School students please ensure they empty their
locker by Friday 6 December 2013. If you do not empty your locker the
items will be removed and donated to a worthy cause.
Jodie Sutton
Middle School Team
Leader
Book Listed Maths Resources for Year 9 and Year 10 2014
The following information is regarding the book listed
Maths resources for 2014:
A Year 9 student needs the following items for Year 9
Maths:
1)
ICE-EM Year 9 books 1 & 2 (may be
purchased second-hand)
2)
HOTMaths access code
3)
Texas Instruments TI30XB scientific
calculator (or a similar scientific calculator)
A Year 10 student needs the following items for Year 10
Core Maths or Maths Extension:
1)
ICE-EM Year 10 books 1 & 2 (may be
purchased second-hand)
2)
HOTMaths access code
3)
CAS Nspire calculator (In addition:
retain the TI30XB calculator from year 9)
Please Note:
·
If the ICE-EM books are purchased new,
they are bundled with the HOTMaths access code.
·
If the ICE-EM books are purchased
secondhand, the HOTMaths access code must be purchased separately via North
of the Yarra Bookshop.
To activate HOTMaths two codes are required: HotMaths
code and a current book code
HotMaths is an interactive on-line product that provides
the student with access to Australian Mathematics Curriculum resources to Year
10 across year levels. HotMaths includes tutorials, videos, self-assessments
and a variety of practice and teaching materials. Students are linked to
their class and class teacher. The material can be used both at home and at
school. Each topic is organised to match the current text book. The codes are
active for 12 months and expire in January.
A Year 10 student studying Foundation Maths 10 needs the
following items:
1)
Jacaranda Foundation Maths set of books
2)
Texas Instruments TI30XB scientific
calculator (or a similar scientific calculator)
Lyn Milner
KLA Coordinator
Mathematics
Going
the Distance
The pressure is on! With just one week to
go, four groups have collapsed, given up! The remaining groups continue,
their bridge building setting a cracking pace. It’s all hands on deck as “The
Foodlepoppers” work to complete their combination truss and suspension
bridge.
But into the mix enters a new contender;
me! By collecting the members of “Kittens with Mittens” and “The Turtles” we
will build a bridge to my design. But will there be enough time! Can Mrs
McDonald and Mr Baly inspire their groups to greater effort? Can they take
the lead and span the distance?
Rob Coventry
Science
Twilight
Evening Concert
Monday
night saw the Music Department's last concert for the year. The
'Twilight Evening', rain free, was held outside and attracted a large
audience. Some residents from Chatswood Terrace also attended the concert and
thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Many of the Ensembles had only
been rehearsing together this term, yet showed parents and friends what
wonderful things can be achieved in a short time!
We
also enjoyed the talents of our Community Choir; always looking for new
members.
Jeanette
Davison presented the conductor of the Strings Ensembles, Amberley Bremner,
with some beautiful handmade string instruments. We sincerely thank them
for these.
The
recipients of two Scholarships were also announced. The Ferngully Lodge Award
was given to Anna Telfer (Year 11, Andrew House, Flute) and David
Sutherland (Year 9, Everard House, Saxophone) and the Claire Edgoose Award to Taliesin Sterry
(Year 10, Everard House, Bassoon) and Jemima Longworth (Year
10, Andrew House, Bassoon).
Rehearsals
This
week we have rehearsals for Symphonic, Jazz, Stage, Strings and Thursday
morning Training Band.
Due
to the large number of students who are in Middle School and Concert
Band, there will be NO rehearsal for Concert Band this week.
These
will be the last rehearsals for this year. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone involved: the Music Support Group, instrumental
teachers, ensemble directors and parents for your support, and for getting
your child to early morning rehearsals! And not forgetting our students who
have worked so hard and achieved so much. THANKYOU!
Instrumental Lessons (Years 8 – 12) and Ensemble Rehearsals:
2014
Instrumental
lessons for Years 8 – 12 students and Ensemble Rehearsals commence the week
of Monday, 3 February 2014.
Special Mention
A
special mention to one of our departing instrumental teachers, Aaron Vreulink.
Aaron was a student at Eltham High School and in the Music Program
playing trombone. He did his studies, including a Diploma of Education,
and has been tutoring trombone students at Eltham High School, as well as
teaching at other schools. Aaron has now got a position as a full time
music teacher and Head of the Music Program at a local primary school.
We wish Aaron all the very best for the future.
Chamber Ensemble Evening
On
Friday, 22 November we had a Chamber Ensemble Evening. One of our Year 7
students was inadvertently not mentioned, but here she is: Charlie Evans
played flute in one of our young ensembles. Congratulations to Charlie
and all the young performers who took part that evening.
Second Hand Instrument Register
Any
instruments going on the register have to first be checked by a music staff
member; the cost is $10.
If
you have any queries regarding this or any other aspect of the Music Program,
please ring the Music Office on 9430 5127 or email Jill, the Music Secretary
at bro@elthamhs.vic.edu.au
Rick Plummer
Director of Music
Australian
Volleyball Schools Cup
Team lists
are displayed on the volleyball information board in the Stadium and on the
volleyball home page on the Eltham High web page: ‘Teams for Australian
Volleyball Schools Cup’.
Final information is now available on the volleyball web page.
Simply select ‘volleyball’ on the Eltham High web page. On the volleyball
home page select ‘Downloads’. The document ‘Australian Volleyball Schools’ Cup
2013’ has all the details you will need leading up to this National Tournament.
A small number of players still
have to make their final payment. This should be paid to the Cashier.
Parental permission can be given on Compass.
Should you need more
information, or clarification regarding the above, please free to contact me at
tho@elthamhs.vic.edu.au
Competition Draw
A draft draw will be posted on the AVSC web
site on Friday, 29 November 2013. To access the draw simply follow the
instructions below.
• Go to www.avf.org.au/AVSC
• Click on the link to ‘Preliminary Draw now
available’
State Volleyball
Finals
Congratulations
to the Year 8 girls on winning the State Volleyball Competition last Tuesday.
They went
through the day undefeated; a great team effort. The State Champions are Madi
Hart, Brianna Dalgleish, Sophie Foote, Maddie
Vincent-Gilmartin, Hinako Eyre, Georgia Williver, Indiah
Johnstone, Elise Henderson and Tanisha Giordano. Thanks go to
Ms Pascoe for coaching the girls on the day.
The Year 8
boys, coached by Dan Simpson, were unlucky to miss out on making it through
the crossover match, being beaten in three sets by the eventual winner.
The Year 7
boys played very well in a very close competition. They also were denied a
place in the Final by Kew High in the crossover match. Maffra went on to win
the competition. Thanks go to David Dunn and Mr Pringle for looking after the
boys.
Australian
Schools' Volleyball Cup – Practice Matches
Thursday, 5 December: 3.30
pm
CRT 1: Under
16 Boys Hon vs Under 16 Boys Div 2 vs Under 16 Girls Hon
(3 games
– each team plays 2 sets and referees one set)
Senior Boys
and girls: Training at 9.00am Matches at 3.30 pm
CRT 3: Open
Boys Honours vs U/17 Boys Hon vs Open Girls Hon
3 games –
each team plays 2 sets and referees one set
Year 7 Students have the
opportunity to play each Monday at 3.30pm
Important Volleyball Dates for 2013:
8 - 13 December Australian
Volleyball Schools’ Cup
Gymnastics
Success
Victorian State Levels Championships: The
Victorian State Levels Championships were at Maffra and a team with Cleo
Lowery, Year 8, Adele & Elise Hepworth, Year 7 and Grace
O’Toole, Year 7 placed 3rd overall, which was a wonderful
achievement in a competitive Level 7 competition. The girls also qualified
for the individual Victorian Championships and had a solid performance on all
apparatus.
National Clubs Competition: At the
National Clubs Competition in Geelong, Isis Lowery, Year 11 competed
in the Senior International Level and placed 1st on vault, 2nd
on beam, 3rd on floor & bars and 3rd all around.
This was a two day competition and Isis’ first time competing since her hip
surgery 11 months ago. Emily Dean, Year 9 also competed in the Women’s
National Level 10, which is a level above her age, and had a wonderful
competition hitting many routines with new skills for the first time. All
girls train at Jets Gymnastics in Diamond Creek and Eltham.
The girls train between 10 – 30 hours a
week and work very hard, so we congratulate them on their recent success.
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
We still have unfilled orders for Year 7, Year 8 and Year
10 second hand texts books. We are extending the timeline for these
books to be collected to Wednesday, 4 December so please bring your
books along to the Year 12 Study Centre if you are wanting to sell them (with
parental permission).
The texts available to sell for Year 7 and Year 8 are:
To the Top
Year
7 Year
8
English: English:
Invention of Hugo Cabret Tales from Outer
Suburbia
Alice in Wonderland The Outsiders
Indonesian: Indonesian:
Bagus Sekali 1 (text) Kenalilah Indonesia Book 1
French:
Tapis Volant 1 Student book (3rd Edition)
The book room will be closed as from Thursday
5 December, so please
finalise all purchases prior to this date.
All booklists are available at www.elthamhs.vic.edu.au Click on
Information/Second Hand Book Sales.
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
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
Hospitality Training Australia
is looking to run a summer school at Eltham High School for students
interested in obtaining skills and qualifications in the hospitality
industry. The course commences on Monday, 16 December and will have a
break over Christmas and New Year before resuming in mid-January 2014.
Fliers concerning the course
are available from the Careers office and also on line. www.hosptrain.vic.edu.au/summerschool/eltham
There is a minimal cost ($21) that is paid directly to HTA.
If you are interested you can
contact HTA on 9369 5551 or email: info@hosptrain.vic.edu.au.
You can also enrol on line.
Eating Disorders
If
you have a child or loved one with an eating disorder or are concerned that
someone you love may have and would appreciate some expert advice and
information please be aware that Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV)
provide a very comprehensive web site and now offer a Psychology service
which is Medicare rebatable www.eatingdisorders.org.au/services
EDV are very excited to announce that the EDV
Psychology service has expanded and have recently welcomed
psychologist Dr
Dion Nowoweiski to the team. All psychologists at EDV have extensive
experience in the field of eating disorders, and bring their knowledge and
expertise to helping adolescents and adults, as well as their families. If
you would like to book an appointment with one of our psychologists, please
call 1300 550 236.
Wellbeing for Young People – Contact with Nature can be
Restorative
Being in natural settings is intrinsically soothing and is shown
to reduce unhealthy behaviour. Exactly why isn’t clear, but there is probably
an evolutionary factor, as human beings and their predecessors were raised
in, evolved in and likely designed for natural settings.
This affinity to natural life forms, what researchers term
“biophilia,” is now being incorporated into new therapy techniques such as
walk-and-talk therapy and adventure-based counselling, according to clinical
psychologist Mary Gregerson of Heartlandia Psychology in Parkville, Mo. Being
outdoors, she says, allows individuals an opportunity to “decompress” and can
be a meditative experience. “You give yourself a change of pace and are able
to lose a sense of that time pressure. It’s about being in the moment. That
in and of itself is the achievement that you’re looking for.”
While the positive effects of nature have been illustrated in
numerous studies, researchers are just beginning to understand why and how
this happens. So heading in to the holiday period, make sure you and your
family take time to "decompress" and commune with nature; we are
lucky in Nillumbik to live close to it.
Via link: Contact with nature can be restorative Republican
American.
Louise Heathcote
Student Services Leader
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