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End of Term 4
Thursday, 19 December Finish 2.30pm
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Year 7 2014 Orientation Day
Today we welcomed our 2014 Year
7 students into our school community. A wonderful group of very excited and
energised young people walked through our doors and it was great to watch
them arrive, enter the Performance Centre and take their place within our
school. They looked confident and determined to enjoy the day. Lots of smiles
and laughter, although I suspect that there was also a level of nervousness
and apprehension hidden deeper inside, but by the end of the day these had
all been alleviated. A great deal of work has gone into the planning of this
day and this has paid off in the positive experiences provided for the
students. I know that Eltham High School will support them to learn, develop
and take their place in the world. I extend a warm welcome to all the
families that join our learning community for the first time and those for
whom this is not the start of a new relationship but the continuation of one
that started sometime in the past and that will continue to be nurtured.
Today was the first time that
our new students experienced what it will be like to attend Eltham High
School and I am sure that they will have arrived home with lots to tell. This
morning at assembly I strongly encouraged them to talk to their
parents/guardians about their experiences throughout the day. I know that
parents are looking forward to asking their students about the first day at
high school; just be prepared because they did promise me that they will tell
you.
Do ask your children about
their day. Ask them about their experiences in class, in the playground, in
making friends. Ask them about their teachers for the day and about the way
that they interacted with them. Ask them what they found interesting and
about the friends that they have made.
I hope that every child will be
able to relate a very positive experience. However, if your child did come
home with some concern I ask that you let us know immediately by contacting
Mr Ross McKinnon (Junior School Team Leader) at mki@elthamhs.vic.edu.au . We want
to do our very best to ensure that every child begins their secondary
education in the most positive of ways. We hope to be able to resolve any
issue immediately within the constraints that we have.
I was fortunate enough to visit
every class during the day and all I can say is that I saw great excitement,
passion and optimism. Feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly
positive, as has been feedback from the staff and I look forward to welcoming
our Year 7 students back from the summer break on Wednesday, 29 January. I
take this opportunity to acknowledge the great work of the Junior School
Coordination Team, in particular Mrs Melissa Hughes (Transition Coordinator)
and Mr Ross McKinnon (Junior School Team Leader) for their organisation of
the day, and of course, all the other staff that contributed to making this
day a great success.
Year
7 End of Year Program and Year 8 Morph Program
The Year 7 Program and the Year
8 Morph Program began well on Monday, 9 December. Unfortunately the weather
was not on our side, but we ventured on regardless. In Year 7 students are
engaging in a study of our Indigenous Australia and are experiencing as much
of the culture as possible within the limitations of what can be provided in
a school. In Year 8 the Morph Program is focusing on community and in
particular our community, the Eltham Community. Students are engaging in a
range of activities which are akin to our school value of social
responsibility. Feedback so far has been very positive for both programs and
I thank the staff involved in the planning and organisation of these programs,
including our daily organiser Mrs Cathy Cukier, who has been worked off her
feet to ensure that everything runs smoothly. I ask parents to continue the
support of the programs by ensuring that their children continue to attend up
until the last day Thursday, 19 December and I thank you in anticipation.
Eltham
High School Volleyball
This is a very busy week for
our Volleyball players; they are out and about defending our position in the
National League, at the National Volleyball Competition at MSAC, and at the
Dandenong Volleyball Stadium. There are too many teams for me to mention them
one by one, and lots of staff and volunteers coaching and managing teams. I
wish all the students well and I hope to get a chance to get out there and see
them in action.
Symphonic
Band Performance at BMW Edge, Federation Square
This free concert on Wednesday evening, 18 December starting at
7:30 pm, will feature the Eltham High School Symphonic Band, as well as 25
choristers from the Australian Children’s Choir, Aldous Tria, the winner of
the 2013 VCASS John Hopkins Award and entertainer and media personality,
Denis Walter.
Those attending will be invited to bring with them a small gift to
be distributed by the Salvation Army to Melbourne’s less fortunate families
at Christmas.
Term
4 Curriculum Report
As I write this, students are
engaged in a wide variety of activities around the school, including a number
of new curriculum initiatives. Students in Year 7 are involved in a fantastic
program that explores our historical and contemporary connections to
indigenous culture and history. The program has been developed by a highly
committed team of staff and allows students to explore and experience these
concepts through a variety of practical, hands-on learning activities. The
learning from this program translates directly into the curriculum for
students in 2014 when they enter Year 8.
Our current Year 8 students are
involved in the Morph program which is designed to engage students in
exploring their local community through varied learning activities. Students
have been out and about (in all weather!) and involved in a wide range of
practical activities and events. Currently, students are in the ‘Tuning In’
phase of the program, designed to connect them to key skills and ideas before
they apply this knowledge using the inquiry based learning process. The Morph
program has also been designed and led by a dedicated team of staff and I
congratulate them and thank them for their efforts in creating this
experience for students.
VCE and VCAL students for 2014
(Units 1 – 4) have now completed their respective HeadStart programs. Staff
have been very pleased with the level of engagement that they saw from
students across these two weeks. The ability to gain this class time ahead of
the summer break will hopefully allow for productive preparatory work during
this period, as well as increased teaching time in the New Year. We are
currently considering how this program might operate in 2015, and as a
parent, I would encourage you to direct any feedback regarding the HeadStart
program to myself via email (nao@elthamhs.vic.edu.au).
The last few weeks are the
culmination of much hard work from students. I wish all students and their
families a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Tim Natoli
Assistant Principal
Year
12 Study Camp: 19 February – 20 February 2014
The 2014 Year
12
Study Camp will be held at the CYC City
Campus situated at
538 Collins Street,
Melbourne.
The Program
involves students actively continuing their VCE Year 12 preparation by engaging in a range of curriculum, study and research skill workshop sessions as well as
health and wellbeing and team building activities. All activities
will be undertaken under
the direction of Eltham High School teaching
staff as well as external
facilitators.
We will be travelling to the city site by bus, departing Eltham High School on Wednesday February 19, 2014 at
9.15am and will request
parents/guardians to collect students the following
evening Thursday February 20, 2014 at 7.30pm from the CYC site. Students will
need to bring
morning tea and
lunch for the first day, as we will commence the three Study Skills Workshop sessions facilitated
by Elevate Education
upon our arrival.
The cost of the Camp will be $260.00 per student payable to the School Cashier by Wednesday February 12,
2014. All payments are to be finalised prior to attendance at Study Camp. The cost is all inclusive of transport
to the City site, activities/workshops*, specialised personnel, guest speakers, catering and
accommodation. We believe that the program is particularly worthwhile and an integral
part of the
Senior School Program for students. Attendance at the
Study Camp is considered to be compulsory and builds on the
HeadStart Orientation
Program (Monday 18 November -
Friday 29 November, 2013) facilitated by members
of staff at school. A payment
plan is available should you
request this.
Should you have any queries about the Study Camp Program please do not hesitate to contact the Senior
School Office.
Anna Panas
Senior School Team Leader
Middle
School News
2014 Subject Selections for Current Year 8 and Year
9 Students
The 2014 subject selections for current Year 8 and Year
9 students will be re-published on Wednesday 11 December, 2013.
Please log onto the Intranet, click on ‘My Details’ and
your subject selections will be listed in the middle column under the heading
‘Subjects Allocated’. Wave your mouse over the subject codes to view the
full name of the subject.
Jodie Sutton
Middle School 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:
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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
The Day of Reckoning!
Six
classes (fourteen groups) set out three weeks ago to construct a bridge over
a 4 metre gap using only cardboard, string and masking tape.
Now
the great day has arrived, the day when the bridge will be put to the test by
my walking over them.
“Da
da Batman”, “The Turtles”, “Kittens with Mittens” and all the other groups
began with great designs in prospect, but one by one the task has proven to
be too great and they have fallen by the wayside; given up!
But
one group, “The Foodlepoppers”, succeeded in building a bridge; a composite
design encompassing elements of three different types: suspension, arch and a
lattice truss. With time running short, compromises were made and shortcuts
taken to get the bridge to at least hold up its own weight. But once
assembled, it was time for the test – my walking over it!
But
alas, my first step onto the bridge was also a step straight through onto the
floor!
So
the prize for building a bridge across Room 909 remains to be won; maybe by
the Year 8’s of 2014!
Rob Coventry
Science
Seeking New Instrumental Students
Do
you know of a student starting at the school next year who plays an
instrument? The Music Department is keen to follow up on their
expertise! Please email Jill in the Music Office at bro@elthamhs.vic.edu.au or phone 9430 5127
Rick Plummer
Director of Music
Swim Squad Fundraiser Lap-a-Thon Christmas Hampers
Last
Thursday, eight lucky shoppers from the Swim Squad descended upon K Mart
Greensborough; trolleys and calculators in hand. Their task was to spend $1,
800; money raised by their efforts several weeks ago in the Eltham Leisure
Centre Pool at the annual Swim Squad Lap-a-Thon. The students purchased a
range of gifts and toys suitable for boys and girls both, under and over ten years
of age.
The
amazing array of gifts are on display under the Christmas tree in the foyer
until the end of this week, when members of Nillumbik Lyons; Eltham Chamber
of Commerce and Eltham Baptist Church will take them away, wrap them and
distribute them to families in our community who are in need.
Thanks
go to all those that have supported the Swim Squad this year; those that swam
in the Lap-a-Thon, our happy shoppers: Lachie Chapman, Alex Grigg, Ruben
Hayes, India Heys, Bryn Hider, Sarah Krause, Indigo
McKinnon, Marcus McLennan, Felix Smith, Joel Taylor, and the support staff:
Neroli Nixon (Coach), Lyn Davis and Louise Heathcote.
Louise Heathcote
Student Service Leader
Year
8 Boys SSV State Basketball Finals
Congratulations to the Year 8 Boys
on making the State Basketball Finals for the 2nd year in a row.
The event was held at MSAC on Thursday, 28 November. I would like to
congratulate all the boys for this wonderful achievement and thank their
coach, Trent Grindall, for working with the boys this year.
Results were:
Eltham High School defeated Warrnambool
Eltham High School defeated
Berwick
Eltham High School lost to
Notre Dame
The boys missed out on making
the Final by a percentage; hopefully they can go one better next year!
David Allender
Senior School Coordinator/Basketball Coach
Year
8 Girls SSV State Tennis Finals
The Year 8 Girls Tennis Team
competed at the State Finals on Thursday, 5 December at Boroondara Tennis
Centre.
Results were:
Eltham defeated Dromana
Secondary College 3:3
Eltham defeated Emmanuel
College 5:1
Semi Final: Eltham lost to
Maribyrnong College 2:4
A terrific effort by our girls,
in wet and cold conditions. Overall placing 3rd in the state!
Year 8 Girls Tennis Team: Danah McMillan, Madi Hart, Natasha Snell and
Ebony Turner
Lucy Bowman
Health/PE
DEECD Back to School Program: Information Regarding
Starting Secondary School
For information about starting Secondary School,
please click on the DEECD website link below:
www.education.vic.gov.au/backtoschool
Diamond Valley College Bus Network
Diamond Valley Bus Network - Bus Applications for 2014:
For students who travel on the Diamond Valley Bus Network,
please note that applications for 2014 are now overdue. If you have not
already submitted your application, please do so as soon as possible.
Diamond Valley Bus Network -
Term Dates:
Pease note the following Term
dates. Bus times will alter for END of terms.
2013 Term 4: Last day
for buses Thursday, 19 December at 3.00pm
Hospitality
Training Australia: Summer School
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
Tuning in to Teens
Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
A seven-session
parenting program
for parents of adolescents aged from
10 - 16 years
Would you like to
learn how to:
·
be better at talking with your
teen?
·
be better at understanding your
teen?
·
help your teen learn to manage
their emotions?
·
help to prevent behaviour
problems in your teen?
·
teach your teen to deal with
conflict?
Tuning in to Teens
shows you how to help your teen develop Emotional Intelligence.
Adolescents
with higher Emotional Intelligence:
·
are more aware, assertive and
strong in situations of peer pressure
·
have greater success with making
friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers
·
are more able to cope when upset
or angry
·
have fewer mental health and
substance abuse difficulties
·
have more stable and satisfying
relationships as adults
·
have greater career success –
·
Emotional intelligence may be a
better predictor of academic and career success than IQ!
Where: Eltham High School
30-60 Withers Way, Eltham
When: Tuesday 11 February-25 March 2014
7.00 - 9.00pm
Cost: $160 / $240 couples for 7 x 2hr sessions
For all enquiries or to make a booking please call:
Kate Culy - 0404 042 789 or Jodie Harris - 0412 822 858
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