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This term, we have witnessed an outstanding display of our school values - Courage, Self-discipline, Achievement, and Respect - with over 4500 merits awarded to deserving students. This amazing effort truly reflects the dedication and commitment of our student body. Moreover, our learning environment has never been more settled, fostering an atmosphere conducive to growth and achievement.
We have seen a record number of excursions this term, providing invaluable learning opportunities for our students. Thank you to the staff who have organised these excursions, it is an incredible effort and our students appreciate the opportunity to learn outside the four walls of the classroom.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude and goodbye to Lisa, our Deputy Principal, who will be embarking on a new journey with the Directorate's curriculum team. Additionally, we congratulate Karishma, our Science teacher, on her well-deserved leadership position at another school.
I also want to express my appreciation to the majority of our students who have embraced our Mobile Phone Policy. Beginning next term, we will be implementing a no-warning system regarding phones and personal devices on school premises. Students found with these devices will be required to hand them to the front office. Further details regarding this process will be shared at the commencement of Term 2.
Finally, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to our dedicated staff whose unwavering commitment continues to shape the future of our students. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another enriching term ahead.
Enjoy the autumn break.
Trish
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IMPORTANT DATES FOR WEEK 1 TERM 2 2024
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Monday 29 April
Tuesday 30 April
- Students return for Term 2
- Year 7 Immunisations
Wednesday 1 May
Thursday 2 May
- College Road show
- Advanced Outdoor Education Tuggeranong Hill
- Breakfast Club
Friday 3 May
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REMINDER – MONDAY 29 APRIL 2024 IS A PUPIL FREE DAY
A friendly reminder to all parents and carers that there are three remaining student-free days for ACT public schools in 2024. These are the first day of each school term:
Term 2 – Monday 29 April 2024
Term 3 – Monday 22 July 2024
Term 4 – Monday 14 October 2024
Student-free days are for staff development, enabling teachers and schools to plan in a student-free environment. The increase in student-free planning days from 2024 is part of our Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement, which prioritises better teacher workloads for educational leadership, teaching and learning.
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YEAR 7 CAMP
This week, Year 7 embarked on our very first high school camp to Birrigai. We all had a great time participating in some awesome activities, including; crate climbing, team rescue and an amazing hike up Gibraltar Peak. The experience is not one our Year 7s will soon forget, and we look forward to many more adventures over the next four years!
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HaSS
History
The whole of Calwell High has been learning about the past this term.
Year 7 have examined ‘Deep time’ looking at the ways different groups record the past. Year 8 have delved into the Medieval world, looking at the lives knights and the power of the church. Year 10 have been examining WW1 and the changes it made to the world stage.
In Year 9, students have spent time investigating the Industrial Age. By looking at the lives of people affected by the invention of steam power and the rise of factories we have been able to develop empathy. Students showed their learning by imagining themselves as a 18th Century factory worker. They wrote creatively to show how these dramatic shifts in technology affected individuals. Below are some examples of thoughtful and insightful work from our talented students.
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Told by Thomas, a textile fabric worker
By Nick
"Come, take a seat, and let me tell you the tale of my life during the Industrial Revolution. It was a time of change, bringing both great progress and great hardship.
My home was a humble dwelling of wood and straw, nestled amidst the English countryside. Every morning, my wife Martha and I arose in darkness to get ready for work. In winter, it was so cold inside that I could see my breath. It was an hour's walk to the town where we both worked in a factory making textiles. Other people had left the countryside, choosing to live in the town. However, accommodation was scarce and people were forced to rent rooms that were small and dirty.
The factory was ugly, constantly spewing smoke from its chimneys. Inside it was noisy and busy all the time. Farming was hard, but working in the factory was harder. Much harder. The machines were loud, and it was easy to get hurt. Accidents happened frequently, and sometimes people were seriously hurt. The overlookers always blamed the workers' carelessness or stupidity for any accidents. You would only receive medical treatment to keep work production high.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of life during the Industrial Revolution was the use of child labour. Children were forced to work alongside us, their small hands and nimble fingers set to work on tasks beyond their years. They should have been playing and going to school, but instead, they were working twelve hours or more a day.
But even though things were tough, we stuck together. We helped each other out and tried to make things better. Sometimes we protested and asked for fairer wages and safer working conditions.
Life during the Industrial Revolution changed everything. People left the countryside for the cities, and everything got busier and louder. But we kept hoping for a better future, where everyone could live and work in safety and happiness."
Lissi - (excerpt)
Impotent, meaning powerless, unable to take action. I was helpless, I stood there, watching the innocence and purity slowly leave that child's body within a second. They were exposed to the real intentions of this world far too soon. I watched, until it was over. Knowing I was next.
I could be described as docile, compliant and obedient. Exactly what they wished from such fragile souls, which, behind their greedy eyes, were only referred to as working machines, or easy money. They saw vulnerable minds and took it as an advantage. It didn’t matter how hard they worked, or how they sacrificed their entire living in regards to some shiny plastic for a fortunate reflection to ‘play’ with.
I awoke to a frigid feeling, lingering in the air around me. The reassuring sounds of humming birds tapping against my foggy window, I allowed my calloused hands to wipe the frost off of the glass. Revealing the beautiful little creatures that were gifting pollen to the hollyhocks, engraved into the precious soil of home. I was sure that the tiny beings represented something in a peculiar way, I just wasn't sure what. I know now, that the harrowing feeling, that lump stuck in the back of my throat wasn’t just nothing.
I liked mornings in particular, I got to think, feel, breathe. All while being free.
Freedom is a luxury, in which my hands do not hold. In that moment I felt the dull, non clastic rock in the heaps of my bruised palms, leaving blotchy specks of coal dust on the tips of my fingers. It was the pith that I shared more of a bond with a sadistic rock than my actual family. I was able to see them for a few hours a week, that was when I returned home from labour, and early when I woke.
Lucy - (excerpt)
I wake to my mum pulling me out of bed “Get up Matthew!” “You're going to be late” I groan and open my eyelids as the sun shines brightly through the window. I get dressed and go to eat breakfast but realise I am running late, mum was right. I call goodbye to mum and dad and start to run down the dirt path. My legs are sore from walking 2 miles to and from the factorie every day. As I run, tears start to stream down my cheeks. I dread being beaten, you always get beaten the worst when you're late.
When I arrive at the factory my legs are burning and it hurts to stand. I walk inside to the sound of my angry boss yelling at my poor co-workers, tears running down their faces. Suddenly he turns around “MATTHEW!” echoes through the factorie and he storms towards me. I close my eyes as he begins to hit me. After about 10 minutes the beating stops, I stand my whole body shaking and bruised. I walk over to the machines and start working. For the next 15 hours I work non stop. I then walk home with 2 pennies for the day, which is not nearly enough to buy food for my family. We have been starving for weeks as my pay is so horrible, and food is too expensive for anyone on a factorie budget.
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SCIENCE
Year 7 Science students are learning about the states of matter and the changes in the physical states of a substance by melting, freezing, sublimation or precipitation.
They are also learning about the effect of changing pressure on the boiling point of substances.
Student displayed excellent cooperation skills and followed all safety measures correctly while conducting the experiments.
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Hello Parents, Carers and Friends
Thank you for supporting the P&C throughout Term 1. We value the time that you give to attend our meetings, assist with our school and community projects, and for your general encouragement in what we do.
Our P&C is a member of the ACT Council of P&C Associations. The Council’s website has information on a broad range of topics, including an excellent section on resources that can be of benefit to parents. See this and other good information at https://www.actparents.org.au/index.php/resources-for-parents
Enjoy the upcoming school holidays, see you in Term 2. Our next P&C meeting is on Wednesday 15 May at 6.00pm in the main staff room. Everyone is welcome.
Geoff Puleston, P&C President calwellhighpandc@gmail.com
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CAREERS & STUDENT PATHWAYS
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How do I apply? Download and read the information pack to learn about the areas of specialisation and the application requirements. Prepare your application including your statement of interest and a letter of recommendation.
Submit your application here by Friday 3 May 2024.
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YEAR13 VIRTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Discover what it would be like working at Baker's Delight and CommBank through Year13's virtual work experience these holidays. Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate to add to your resume, but best of all, you’ll know if, and how, this exciting career matches your skills and interests.
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Visit the Year 13 X CommBank VWE page at the link below to get started.
https://year13.com.au/virtual-job-experience/data-scientist/overview
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ART IN, BUTT OUT – DESIGN COMPETITION FOR YEAR 8
Art In, Butt Out provides an opportunity for year 8 artists and designers to exercise their skills in a real-life situation. Students are asked to devise marketing strategies to positively influence their peers by raising awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and vaping and translate them into a visual advertisement as a poster.
The Art In Butt Out competition is open to all students in year 8 in ACT schools and home schooling arrangements and closes at 5:00pm on Friday, 28 June 2024. Entry to the competition is free with the winner receiving a $250 gift voucher. For more information including how to submit your entries read the poster below.
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RECONCILIATION DAY POSTER COMPETITION
The Reconciliation Day Council invites students to create a poster that represents this year’s theme ‘Now More Than Ever’. Entries close 10 May 2024. For more information read the poster below.
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THE QUEEN'S COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2024
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, is now open for 2024. Proudly delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society, this contest provides young Commonwealth citizens with an opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas, and experiences on key global issues. There is a junior category for students under 14 years, and senior category for students aged 14 – 18 years.
The hard work and achievements of participants are celebrated internationally, with the top two entrants from each category awarded a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony. The theme for the 2024 competition is ‘Our Common Wealth,’ and entries close on Wednesday 15 May 2024.
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CREATIVE WRITING COURSE – STORY GROUND FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS (YEARS 10-12)
Story Ground for Secondary Students is an exciting creative writing course for students in years 10, 11 and 12. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are encouraged to register. Students will be guided by Dr Paul Collis, author of Dancing Home (a novel) and Nightmares Run Like Mercury (poetry), to understand how Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and valuing are connected to story.
The free course will be run on Thursday, 18 and Friday, 19 April 2024 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the University of Canberra’s Bruce Campus. Lunch will be provided. Please note that the website incorrectly references the course date as 8 and 9 April, but further down the page it restates 18 and 19 April.
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HISTORY CAREER PANEL FOR ACT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS
Are you a self-proclaimed History Nerd? Do you fancy yourself as Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, or perhaps you’re more inclined to imagine yourself hidden away from the world, diving into dusty archives in the pursuit of long forgotten knowledge? Come to our panel discussions with young leaders in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) sector. Hear how they got where they are, and how you can get your dream job too.
To register visit Yes, You Can Get a Job With a Degree in History! - Canberra and Region Heritage Festival Connections - Libraries ACT
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FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITY - PLAYFUL ENDEVOUR IN GLEBE PARK
Looking for a fun holiday activity for your children? Playful Endeavour has got you covered! Experience the magic of open-ended, self-directed play that fosters independence and a sense of self as children learn and explore.
Running from 15 April to 26 April 2024, Playful Endeavour is a free activity that will be held from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Glebe Park in the City Centre. Children are invited to let creativity rule with objects of all shapes and sizes, including ropes, boards, wooden spools, tubes, beams, and more. This activity will run through the Autumn school holidays near the nature play, and traditional playground areas.
Read more details online at Playful Endeavour | Free School Holiday Activity | VisitCanberra.
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ACT U16s AND U18s SCHOOLGIRL'S RUGBY LEAGUE 2024
The 2024 U16s and U18s ACT Schoolgirls trial number 1 will be held on Sunday 14 April.
OPEN TRIAL DATE: Sunday 14 April 2024
TIME:
U16’s Girls – 9:30am Sign on for 10:00am Start
U18’s Girls – 12.00pm sign on for 12:30pm start
VENUE: Daramalan College
ELIGIBILITY: U16s Team – Girls turning 15 or 16 this year. U18s Team - Girls turning 17 or 18 this year and attends an ACT secondary school or College. (do not need to be registered players)
All players wishing to trial for this team must attend on the above date and have the Google form completed - Google form for registration
If you have any questions or queries please contact me either by email or phone; sherree.bush@cg.catholic.edu.au OR 0448032739
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RAZZAMATAZZ VARIETY SHOWS IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
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